Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
What does Matthew 9:17 mean?
John was at this time in prison; his circumstances, his character, and the nature of the message he was sent to deliver, led those who were peculiarly attached to him, to keep frequent fasts.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Matthew 9:14-17 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Matthew 9:17
Neither do men put new wine ... - The third illustration was taken from wine put into bottles. Bottles, in Eastern nations, were made, and are still made, of skins of beasts. Generally the skin was taken entire from a sheep or a goat, and, properly prepared, was filled with wine or water. Such bottles are still used, because, in crossing deserts of sand, they have no other conveyances but camels, or other beasts of burden. It would be difficult for them to carry glass bottles or kegs on them. They therefore fill two skins, and fasten them together and lay them across the back of a camel, and thus carry wine or water to a great distance.
Key words
- old bottles
-
old bottles.
- new bottles
-
new bottles.
- old bottles
-
old bottles.
- new bottles
-
new bottles.
Context in Matthew 9
Show chapter context
Matthew 9 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as ministry and teaching blocks. Matthew presents Jesus as Davidic Messiah, new Moses, teacher of the kingdom, suffering Son of Man, and risen Lord who commissions the nations. Read this chapter with the wider themes of fulfillment, kingdom of heaven, and discipleship in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.